Monday, June 23, 2014

Polishing out the scratches

Yep, that's me.  Still flat on my back.  Dressed for the occasion in  pyjamas from my mother, hand knit socks from Rose, and felt fairy slippers from my sister.  Who wouldn't feel better with such a comfortable and colourful get-up?

I'm happy to tell you that the staples are out and we've definitely moved from wound to scar

Someone once dinged my car in a parking lot while I was shopping.  I came home crying and very cross.  Henning, thinking like all men that cars are the chariots of gods, understood my unhappiness and was quite sympathetic.  He dried my tears and said, "Don't be upset, I'm sure it will polish out."  

At the doctor having the staples removed, looking at the wound site and imagining the scarring on the inside, I feel like a dented car.  Reading my mind, Henning said, "Don't worry, it's just a scratch. I'm sure it will polish out."

I asked the doctor if there are exercises or any other course of action that I could take to get better faster.  He laughed and told me to stay horizontal and see him in two weeks.  So there we have it, rest and more rest.  If it takes longer than I would have liked, I will just have to live with it.  Can you tell that there's a little bit of impatience there?  Sure sign that I'm starting to feel better. 








Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Wounds and scars

This is the real me.  Totally horizontal on the couch.  I didn't really want to give you a progress report until there's good news. 
BUT I did want you to know that I'm reading your messages and I'm humbled by all the love, good wishes and prayers showering on me.  Thank you, it helps a lot.
What's happening with me?  On Monday the staples were due to be removed.  I was really looking forward to that.  Having a scar sounds so much further along the road to recovery than having a wound.  Unfortunately the wound has not healed enough to be called a scar, so zipper tummy came home with me once again. 
Time is standing still in my life right now.  Every day passes in a series of naps and if I'm getting better it's in such small increments that it's hardly noticeable.  This is a waiting game.
I think I'll have a nap and wait some more.



Monday, June 9, 2014

Sick Teddy Bear

Until I'm back, this message will pop up on the blog every Monday.  Thank you for your patience while I take time out to get better. 


If I was a teddy bear, the story would read like this:
Last week the doctor checked me over and found some lumps.   
On Monday 26 May I’m going to hospital where they will split my seams and pull out my stuffing to take a closer look. 
Then they will put me back together again.  I hope the doctor has been reading his lessons and practising ladder stitch!  
They will probably send me home after a week.
I’m going to be very tired and will need to sleep all winter. 
While I am hibernating, Tin Soldiers Studio will be closed.
In the real world, this is the plan:
NO SEW ALONG, no workshops and NO SHOPPING at Tin Soldiers until August.
Mail order and online classes will resume in June.
Until the second week of June I will be out of contact.  After that, if you need me, email megbear99@gmail.com, or send an SMS to 083 305 5954.  I will respond when I can.
I have written lessons for Project 52 up to Week 14.  They will post every Thursday.  If I don't feel better in a few weeks, we will continue where we left off when I am better.  
Other blog posts are also scheduled for the next three weeks so check back once in a while.
Thank you for all the get well wishes I have received already!
Megan

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Project 52 - Miniature Bear Making - #14

Hold it all together

Well, I'm certainly trying to hold it all together!  While I'm recovering from surgery, today's lesson is a short one.

After I mark out  and cut out a teddy bear's pieces, I usually save the parts in a ziplock baggie.  At any given time I will have lots of little baggies, I never work on only one bear at a time.

This helps to keep me organized, and generally it works well.  But accidents do happen and over the years every once in a while a part of a teddy bear that I am working on has disappeared into thin air.  If the teddy was cut from the last scrap of a piece of vintage fabric, this is disastrous.  I'm sure all of you have dived under the couch cushions at one time or another looking for a part that was lost. 
Most of the missing part mystery incidents happen to me because I don't work in only one place.  I don't even necessarily work while stationary.  Bears travel with me in cars, on planes, trains, even the occasional boat.  (I've never made a bear while sitting on the back of a camel, ha ha.  Just wait, as soon as I feel better I'm going to try that)!
In 1849, well ahead of the problem, Walter Hunt found the solution to the missing parts mystery when he patented the safety pin.
Use a large safety pin to keep your teddy bear's pieces together.  Don't use a rusty pin, and pin in the seam allowance if possible. If you are on the move, you can even attach the safety pin to the hem of your skirt to make sure you don't leave it behind when you hop off the bus.  It's no wonder I often get strange looks when I'm standing in the queue at the Post Office...

I made the polymer clay teddy that travels with me on my favourite big safety pin.  One should have pretty little treasures all around you!

My book page for Lesson 14.

In this miniature bear making series, we are using the Angus pattern, which you will find in my Etsy Shop, and on the Tin Soldiers Website.

Some of us are making a book or a set of note cards with techniques for miniature bear making.  I have made page templates if you would like to copy mine, but it could also be fun to make your own.  Every week, you will find printable templates for Project 52 HERE .


Tuesday, June 3, 2014

This is the real me, writing a quick post to let you know that I am home.
Hospital was NOT fun.
Surgery was successful but extensive.
And let me tell you that they have never heard of ladder stitch in that place.  The surgeon indicated a small incision, about as long as a thumb and forefinger held apart.  What I got is a meandering track of metal staples like a stainless steel zipper.  One would need a rather long ruler to measure the length. 
So here I am. Seven days after surgery. Sore. Sad. Sleepy. But determined that the worst is over.
For the time being phones and computers stay switched off and my head rarely lifts from the pillow.
Thank you for all the messages and emails.  As soon as I find myself, I will respond personally to everyone.


Monday, June 2, 2014

Sick Teddy Bear

Until I'm back, this message will pop up on the blog every Monday.  Thank you for your patience while I take time out to get better. 


If I was a teddy bear, the story would read like this:
Last week the doctor checked me over and found some lumps.   
On Monday 26 May I’m going to hospital where they will split my seams and pull out my stuffing to take a closer look. 
Then they will put me back together again.  I hope the doctor has been reading his lessons and practising ladder stitch!  
They will probably send me home after a week.
I’m going to be very tired and will need to sleep all winter. 
While I am hibernating, Tin Soldiers Studio will be closed.
In the real world, this is the plan:
NO SEW ALONG, no workshops and NO SHOPPING at Tin Soldiers until August.
Mail order and online classes will resume in June.
Until the second week of June I will be out of contact.  After that, if you need me, email megbear99@gmail.com, or send an SMS to 083 305 5954.  I will respond when I can.
I have written lessons for Project 52 up to Week 14.  They will post every Thursday.  If I don't feel better in a few weeks, we will continue where we left off when I am better.  
Other blog posts are also scheduled for the next three weeks so check back once in a while.
Thank you for all the get well wishes I have received already!
Megan
Here's a little bit of fun:  How to care for a sick teddy bear